























































I 


























































THE KEWPIES 
AND 

DOTTY DARLING 




The/ Kewpie»s $ 

bJt id 

Dotty Darling 




George H. Doran Company 
New Tork 


Copyright, 1910, 1911 
By The Crowell Publishing Company 



Copyright, 1912 
By George H. Doran Company 



f /> r 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

The Kewpie Band 8 

Just How It Happened That Little Dotty Dar- 
ling Was Given a Whole Circus for Her Own 
Particular Joy and Pleasure 12 

The Pleasing Tale of Dotty and the Kewpies at 
School 20 

The Joyful Story of How the Kind Kewps 
Brought a Thanksgiving Feast to Lonesome 
Dot 28 

A Most Enlivening Story Here You'll See of 
Dotty and the Kewpies' Christmas Tree 36 

The Story of the Timely Cheer the Kewpies 

Brought to Dot — the Dear — ! 44 




CONTENTS — Continued 



PAGE 

The Story of Adventures Fine and Dotty's 

Kewpish Valentine! 56 

The Pleasant Tale of How and Why the Kew- 

pies Taught Our Dot to Fly 64 




Now Here's the Tale — You'll Like It Maybe — 


of How the Kewps Met Dotty's Baby 72 

The Kewpies Save Dot's Babe! Indeed They're 

Handy Things In Time of Need! 78 

How Kewps Gave Dot a Trip Delightful and 

Saved the Babe From Dangers Frightful 84 





HR lie KEWPIE BAND 




8 


THE 


K E W P 1 E S 







Children bland of every land, 

And Grown-ups, if inclined that way, 
Come, hear about the Kewpie band 
In rhymes (if you don’t mind that way). 


Sound Information, so they say, 

Is always well to find, you know; 
Historic studies always pay — 

They stimulate the mind, you know. 


The Kewpie wights stay up at nights, 
All gayly singing rum-te-tum. 

Like puddings they are pleasant sights, 
Well rounded at the tum-te-tum. 


For tight-rope trips and backward flips 
They are not built so well, you see. 

This leaves them free for pranks and quips 
And things where they excel, you see. 


The old world droops with serious goops 
(For laughter, they’ll have none of it). 
How lucky there aYe little Kewps 
Who do things for the fun of it! 





D 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


9 


The Kewpie Chief his name is Wag 
And on his top knot wears a flag, 

This chief goes first with noble look, 

And then the valiant Kewpie cook. 

An apron hangs before his legs 

(He’s most expert with ham and eggs). 

The Kewpie army next is spied, 

He wears a handsome sword at side, 

His gallant stride makes quite a stir. 

Then comes the Kewpie carpenter, 

And in his belt his hammer swings, 

In passing he can hammer things. 

Then Kewps of somewhat less renown 
Come hopping up or hopping down. 

One wears a woolen scarf by choice, 

He’s very careful of his voice. 

One keeps his feet from snow and ooze, 

By wearing healthful overshoes. 

(Wise practice!) 






| iwt How It Happened That 
I Little- Dotty Dar/inp'^fibs 
%J Given a WHOLL CIRCUS 
lor Her Own Particular Joy 
and Pleasure 



12 


THE 


K E W P I E S 





ITHIN a cottage on a hill 
There lived, and may be living still, 
The Darling family, who had 
Three little daughters and a lad. 

The elder children, not unkind, 

Still had a singleness of mind 
Which turned on leaving Dot behind. 






Now Dot, the littlest, was but four, 

The others, six and eight and more; 

And, though they loved her youth and laughter, 
They didn’t want her toddling after. 




AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


13 


Where’er they went, to school or play, 

To Church or grandpa’s down the way, 

Small Dot would toddle in pursuit. 

She toddled fast, and far to boot ; 

She toddled after, through the gate ; 

She toddled quick, she toddled straight. 

She toddled with determination; 

Her toddlings called for admiration. 

“Why must the littlest come!” they cried; 
But, had their knowledge been more wide, 

They would have seen ’twere much more fun 
To take her hand and let her run 
Beside them, for ’twas very clear 
She was the dearest little dear. 

She was the finest combination 
Of childish charms in all the nation ; 

She was a constant celebration. 

(Oh, Dotty Darling!) 

One day the circus came to town, 

The children all were going down, 

Excepting Dot you may be sure, 

For circuses too immature; 

At least, so all the others said : 

“You stay and ’tend your flower-bed, 

The circus, dear, would turn your head. 

Your mind is young, your mind’s unsound, 
Your mind would go all ’round and ’round, 
’Twould be unsettled, I’ll be bound. 

Now wisely stay and nurse your kitty, y 
To squash your mind would be a pity.” 








14 


THE 


K E W P I E S 



Poor Dot, so innocent and kind, 

Was much disturbed about her mind, 

But toward the circus so inclined 
That as they went she tagged behind. 

(Against her better judgment) 








“Why must the littlest comer’’ Said Nan. 
“Go back, at once!’’ cried brother Dan. 

“I really don’t know what you mean,” 
Said stately, calm and firm Irene. 

Then all the three began to run, 

And left the mournful little one. 




AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


15 


She sat her on a wayside stone, 

And there she wept and wept alone. 

(This part is almost more than I can bear!) 



But never dreamed, the little lass, 

Of what came stealing through the grass, 

What fluttering of tiny wings, 

What little nods and whisperings : 

For all the Kewpies, happening by, 

Looked on with sympathetic eye. 

When Dot glanced up, oh, what a sight! 

Those Kewpies on the left and right! 

Forgotten all her pensive pain, 

That damsel laughed with might and main. 

She laughed until they thought her joking, 

She laughed until they thought her choking. 

(She “nearly perished!”) 




“Now as for circuses,” said Wag 

(He was the Chief and wore a flag), 
“Let’s make a circus here for Dot; 

We can, you know, as well as not. 

Come in this meadow, little dear, 

And you’ll see something pretty queer. 

Hang up some spider-webs for tents, 

And then, my Kewps and I’ll commence. 

You’ve no idea of our talent,” 

Said Wag, the Chieftain, brave and gallant. 

Well, you could hardly trust your eyes, 

You’d be quite dizzy with surprise, 

If you could see the circus here 
Those Kewps provided for the dear. 

The Kewpie Cook stood on his head, 







16 


THE 


K E W P I E S 







The Carpenter the others led 
In turns and twists past all belief. 

They scampered ’round and ’round the Chief, 
They hung on branches, hung on twigs, 
Turned somersets and danced some jigs. 

They raced around the ring on rabbits, 

Who quite forgot their usual habits. 

They called some birds to fold their wings 
And skip about in highland flings. 

Some hop-toads, bugs and other things 
Went hopping ’round and ’round in rings. 
“Trained animals!’’ Young Dotty cries, 

With clapping hands and dancing eyes. 

•“This circus is the best, no doubt, 

In all the country ‘round about; 

I hope my mind will just hold out.’* 


The Kewpie Army fires his gun, 
The animals then faster run. 
Upon a tight-rope made of grass, 




AND 


DOTTY 


17 


D A 


R L I N G 



Both back and forth, brave Kewpies pass. 

And Oh ! to see those Kewpie kids 
Then pile themselves in pyramids! 

(Dear me ! I should have been quite distracted !) 





When all is done, the Kewpie band 
Escorts the maiden homeward, and 
Two lead her gently by the hand. 

The other children homeward come 
With popcorn, peanuts, chewing gum, 
And tell young Dot of where they’ve been 
And things remarkable they’ve seen. 
“When you are older, you can see 
These sights, like Nan and Dan and me,” 
So said Irene. “I hope you won’t 
Feel discontented.” “No, I don’t.” 

And then the happy little Dot 
Collapsed, in laughter, on the spot. 

Said Nan, “When young, you profit by it, 
To stay at home in calm and quiet.” 










lie. Pleausin^ Tzvie of 
Dotty Mid the> f\ewpie <s 

SCHOOL 


20 


T H E 


K E W P I E S 






EAR children, if you feel inclined 
For stories of the Kewpish kind, 

Here’s one that’s really quite amazing; 
In fact, perhaps a little dazing. 

Some folk insist it isn’t true, 

I’ve said ’twas plain as two and two, 

I’ve argued till my face was blue. 

I’ve argued straight with reasons sound, 

And then I’ve argued ’round and ’round. 

I’ve often argued half the night 
Till it was clear as black and white 
And mathematically right. 

But still they said it wasn’t true, 

And so I’ll leave the thing to you. 

(And here’s the story exactly as I heard it.) 





’Twas in the month of mild October 
When little children, calm and sober, 
Each morning saunter off to schools, 
Respecting all the laws and rules. 

The Darling family each morning 
Finished washing and adorning, 

And down the hill, like children good, 
Went off to school with promptitude, 
That is, the eldest three, I mean, 

Dan, Nan, and stately, stern Irene. 
But as for little Dot, poor dear, 

‘Twas very sad for her, I fear. 




AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


21 


Still kept at home and left behind, 

When for the school she fairly pined 
With longing to improve her mind. 

Of course, she toddled after freely. 

Poor child! She couldn’t help it, really — 

Of course, they ran; of course, they fled. 

They told her to go home to bed ; 

They left her toddling past the shed. 

Pell-mell they scampered, trotting, pacing, 
Never stopping, hopping, racing, 

Down the hill with prancing plunges, 

Jiggling books and slates and sponges. 

(Oh, so hastily!) 



One day, the Kewpies, chancing near, 
Beheld this treatment of the dear. 
“Look,” cried the Kewpie Carpenter, 
“The child we made the circus fer!” 









22 


THE 


K E W P I E S 







As soon as Dot descried the crew, 

Her tears were dried like morning dew. 

“Oh, take me to the school!’’ she cried. 

“Exactly so,’’ the Chief replied. 

“Let all your troubles be removed, 

Your mind shall be at once improved. 

Although, I think there is a rule 
That Kewpies must not go to school ; 

For Kewps, you know, are such a rarity 
They’re apt to rouse a slight hilarity. 

But come along, sweet Dot, with me; 

Like Mary’s Lamb, we’ll go and see.’’ 

(A sensible idea!) 



Well, language fails! I don’t know hoiv 
To tell of all that happened now! 

Imagine how the children smile, 

As all these Kewps go up the aisle! 

The dropping slates, the dropping books! 
Imagine how the teacher looks! 

Imagine how Irene and Nan 
Stare open-mouthed (and so does Dan) 
To see the child they left so droopy 
Come to school beside a Kewpie. 




AND DOTTY 


DARLING 


23 


The Chief sits down beside the dear 
And starts to study, whispering clear. 
Upon the harder words they linger, 

And point them out with studious finger. 



The other Kewpies calm and mild, 

Each seats himself beside a child, 

At which, each child with joy and pride, 

Can hardly keep its bliss inside. 

(Oh, dear! If I had one by me, 

I’d nearly die of jollity!) 
Then with the children they recite. 

Some Kewps upon the blackboard write, 




Thanks to their wings, at quite a height. 
The Kewpie Cook spells “pot” and “kettle,” 
The Carpenter is on his mettle; 







24 


THE 


K E W P I E S 










When “Teacher” does for silence shout, 

He hammers loud to help her out. 

The Kewpie Army then spells “guns,” 

At which, the Kewpie Cook spells “buns.” 

The Kewpie Farmer’s good at verbs 
Because he thinks that they are herbs. 

Sweet Dot is pleased they do so well, 

And proud to hear them count and spell. 

(They acquit themselves so creditably.) 

But, oh, the teacher! Dear! she seems 
Quite like a person lost in dreams ! 

She looks at them in blank surprise, 

As if she can’t believe her eyes; 

And when the afternoon is done, 

The Army fires his little gun — 

Both Kewps and children hurry out 
With many a whoop and laughing shout, 

And little feet that whirl about. 






AND DOTTY 


DARLING 


25 


The teacher says, “My! I must take 
A tonic!” with a pinch and shake 
To see if she is quite awake. 

While Nan and Dan and tall Irene 
Said, “Such a thing I’ve never seen!” 

(And I’m sure they never had.) 
But nothing troubled Dotty’s head 
That night as she was put to bed. 

She felt the little Kewps were kind 
And much improvement in her mind. 








u 





T he Joyful Story of 
How the Kind tyewp.y' 

Brought ^ THANKSGIV- 
ING FEAST to Lonesome Dot 





28 


THE 


K E W P I E S 




OVEMBER’S sky is cold and gray, 

The morning of Thanksgiving Day; 
The Darling family are dressed 
In hoods and jackets of the best, 

With muffs and mufflers red and blue, 
With mittens and with leggings, too. 
Warm shawls does Mother Darling don 
While father has his ear-tabs on. 






They go to visit Grandpa Fair, 

And have Thanksgiving dinner there; 

The sleigh glides off, with shouts and laughter — 
And little Dotty looking after. 

(That poor child’s left at home again!) 






AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


29 


It seems that Dot, unfortunate, 

Had quite a croupy cold of late, 

And so ’twas thought she’d better stay 
Beside the fire with Cousin May. 

Now, I should hate to seem unkind, 
But if I had some fun in mind 
And wished a mate with me to play, 

It never would be Cousin May. 



She wasn’t young, she wasn’t jolly, 
She’d give a child the melancholy. 
She didn’t care for blindman’s-buff. 








30 


THE 


K E W P 1 E S 







She thought that every game was rough. 

She always said you’d had enough 
Before you had begun things, nearly; 

In fact, she made you feel quite queerly. 

Well, poor young Dot was left all day 
To sit beside this Cousin May. 

(I can’t think of anything more dreary.) 

She felt just like a little sinner. 

She said, “I’m getting thin and thinner, 

I wish / had Thanksgiving dinner.” 

No sooner had she spoke the word 
Than, hark, a hopping sound was heard. 

She looked behind, she looked before, 

She looked across the parlor floor, 

The Kewps were peeping in the door. 

“Hello,” they cried and “how d’y’do? 

You see we’ve come to dine with you.” 

Dot ran to them and hugged them tight 
And kissed each Kewp with all her might. 

But, Oh, my dears, what can I say 
About the face of Cousin May? 

Her mouth was wide, her mouth was round, 

And yet she did not make a sound. 

And all the time, it seemed, her eyes 
Were surely twice their usual size. 

Meanwhile, the gallant Kewpie Chief 
Was telling what he had, in brief, 

In bags for the Thanksgiving feast. 




AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


31 


Ten pounds of candy, at the least, 
Fine doughnuts, walnuts, other nuts, 
Pecans and pop-corn, butternuts, 
Jellies, jams, ice-creams and pops, 
Cakes and taffy, chocolate-drops, 
Sweet biscuits, buns and peanut-paste 
And pumpkin-pies you’d die to taste. 



Young Dotty laughed, young Dotty danced, 

And ’round and ’round she lightly pranced. 
“And now,’’ she cried without ado, 

“We’ll have to have a turkey, too.’’ 

(She was very natural and outspoken.) 







32 


THE 


K E W P I E S 







“A turkey!” chirped the Kewpies gay, 
“We’ll run and bring one right away.” 
Dot’s little table then is laid, 

The Kewpies helped the little maid. 

The chairs, of course, are rather tall 
For Kewpie forms so plump and small ; 
So bringing books from off the shelves, 
They pile them up and seat themselves. 

And when the turkey enters, hobbling, 

A bit excited in his gobbling, 

They give him Dotty’s dolly-chair 
And make him feel quite easy there. 

At first he’s just a trifle shy, 

But with their kindness, by and by, 
Entirely at home he seems, 

Enjoying nuts and chocolate creams. 
This turkey guest is pleased to find 
Thanksgiving dinners not the kind 
Of thing that might disturb the mind; 
And wonders why in his dominion, 
They’ve such a different opinion. 

One Kewp politely strives to please 
Poor Cousin May, climbs on her knees 
And feeds her buns with other things 
Till on her lips a smile he brings. 

But though she smiles, her staring eyes 
Remain quite twice their usual size. 

The dinner done, the guests, all cozy, 
Play at ring-around-a-rosy, 

And other games with many a tune 
Beguile the merry afternoon. 





AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


33 


The turkey now, quite hoarse with glee, 
Enjoys himself most heartily. 

When he had gone, all in a ring, 

They watched the fire glimmering. 

No longer feeling thin and thinner, 

“Oh, what a fine Thanksgiving dinner!’’ 
She cried, “ And yet, as grown-ups do, 
We should have ate that turkey, too.” 
“Oh, dear, no,” said the Kewpie King, 
“I never heard of such a thing! 

Why, you invited him, you see, 

’Cause he was such good company.” 









» 





A Most Enlivening Story 
Here ^^u’ll See oC 

Dotty a.nd tke> l^evopm' 

CHRISTMAS TREE 



86 


THE 


K E W P I E S 




HY, here ’tis Christmas, I declare! 

My mind is bobbing here and there! 

(A shocking practice!) 
I thought that it was summer yet, 

The humming-bird a hummer yet, 

I fear I’m growing dumber yet! 

I thought of trees and sunny seas, 

I thought of birds and bumble-bees, 

I thought of butterflies and wings, 

And flowers and flies and frogs and things, 

I thought of little sparkling brooks 
Where fishes swim in ferny nooks. 

And while my mind sailed ’round about, 

The snow came down like “all get out.” 

Each flake it turned a cart-wheel fine, 

And some turned even eight or nine. 




It fell on rocks, it fell on docks, 

It fell on streets, it fell on blocks, 

It fell on roofs and weather- cocks, 

It fell on horses’ flowing manes, 

It fell on country leas and lanes 
And Dotty Darling’s window-panes. 

(And there’s the little dear inside!) 

Young Dotty watched it rather sadly, 

And even rather cross-and-madly. 

She felt that she was treated badly. 

’Twas Christmas Eve, the family 
Had gone to see a Christmas tree ; 



AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


37 


And Mother D. had firmly said, 
“Young Dot is better home in bed.’’ 



So, as the night’s deep shadows fall, 
She feels she doesn’t care at all 
If she should perish in her prime 
Or croupy, whoop away the time, 

Or fall down stairs, with slap and slip, 
She really doesn’t care a flip. 

Indeed, she’d welcome rather gladly 
’Most any fate that ended badly. 

What was the use of being Dot 
If this was all the fun she got? 

If others went to parties gay 
And she at home in bed must stay? 



38 


THE 


K E W P I E S 








But, hark! What little sound is that! 

What fluttering and pittipat! 

The window moves. What stirs the curtain? 
There’s something there, I’m nearly certain! 

(What can it be?) 



AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


39 


Then to the floor a Kewpie hops, 

Another after, lightly drops, 

And twenty more, with little flops, 

And there entire, the Kewpie party, 
Particularly plump and hearty. 

Of clothing they don’t wear a bit, 

For snow and sleet don’t care a bit. 

They scamper ’round and ’round the bed. 

With laughter, Dot is nearly dead, 

With laughter, Dot is nearly dropping, 

With laughter, Dot is nearly popping. 

“Now shut your eyes,’’ the Chieftain cries, 
“And then you’ll see a fine surprise.’’ 

In such a case, I’ve often found, 

One almost dies to look around. 

It takes, to hold one’s eyelids still, 

A noble effort of the will 

Combined with blankets, sheets and spread 

And pillows piled upon the head. 

But Dotty had more strength of mind 
Than in young maids we often find; 

Although she heard them bump and fall 
As they bore something down the hall, 

She never peeped until a shout 
The Kewps let resonantly out, 

Made her start up and look about. 

(Dear me! I can hardly tell this!) 

Oh me, oh my, if you and I 
Could see what Dot saw standing by, 

I wonder if such sights we’d see 
With any equanimity. 

I wonder if we’d all sit tight 










40 


THE 


K E W P 1 E S 







Or somersault both left and right, 

Fly ’round and ’round as if we’d wings, 

Or jump straight up or jump in rings, 

And climb on chandeliers and things. 

Or if we’d all be stricken dumb 
With joy and wonder overcome! 

But as for me, I know this much — 

My sensibilities are such 

That what I’d feel would “beat the Dutch.’’ 

I know I’d be all agitation, 

A-gape, a-gog with admiration 
And almost past resuscitation; 

For there, by Dotty’s little bed, 

A Christmas tree with presents spread, 

And from each bough, by topknot swung, 

A dimpled, dumpy Kewpie hung. 

Oh my, oh me, and o’er and o’er 
Oh dear! As I have said before, 

Were every Christmas tree like this one, 

Oh, what a pity ’twere to miss one! 

I’d get a Kewpie down and kiss one! 









T he vStory oP the* 

TIMELY CHEER 

the- therapies Brought to 
Dot — the> De»cr - ! 



44 


THE 


K E W P I E S 






H! Christmas Cheer! 

This time of year 
We gaily clear the coast for you ; 
Up to the eyes 
In cakes and pies, 

We make a rousing toast for you. 


Oh! Christmas Cheer! 

In ginger-beer, 

In pop and lemonade and things, 

We drink to you, 

While puddings strew 

The path. We simply wade in things. 


But, Christmas Cheer, 

I sadly fear 

You get the best of hosts of us. 

If we’re not bright 
And go it light, 

You’ll, maybe, make some ghosts of us! 


Of Dotty Darling’s case I speak 
Especially, for — Christmas week, 

She ate so many things, I wonder 
The darling didn’t fly asunder, 

With just one little clap of thunder. 



She ate like all the rest of us, 

She measured with the best of us, 
She cornered candies, cakes and jells, 



AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


45 


Preserves, conserves and caramels; 

She bundled butter-scotch and buns 

And cider, sauce and Sally Lunns, 

She made of pie-crust cuts a pile 
And then she nibbled nuts a while. 

She gobbled doughnuts, this one, that one, 

Now a thin one, now a fat one, 

Hardly stopped to give the cat one. 

She gobbled steamed and creamed and spiced things, 
Round and browned and sugared sliced things; 

In fact, quite anything that’s eatable 
Too many, now to be repeatable; 

Yet ate no more, as I surmise, 

Than any child of enterprise — 

Than any child of proper mettle, 

When Christmas-tide puts on the kettle, 

(In my opinion, she was simply equal 

to the occasion, no more.) 





But Dotty’s parents, kind and dear — 
Inclined to be a bit austere — 

Now viewed her food with eye severe. 

At first, they just expressed surprise. 

From that, went on to criticise; 

And then, in tones and terms censorious, 
Began a lecture quite laborious. 

Dot’s sisters and her brother, too, 

Began to take the darker view. 

They said, “We’re older, so past question, 
We have more adequate digestion; 

But little Dot’s is not like ours, 

She can’t expect to have our powers, 





46 


THE 


K E W P I E S 








And little Dot, if she keeps on, 

Will fly in flinders and be gone.” 

The mother said it made her dizzy 
To see Dot in the pantry, busy; 



And such a state of things, she’d own, 
In her young days, was quite unknown. 
The father said, “I fear the worst; 

The little, harmless child will burst.” 




AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


47 


Now, Dot felt very well — the pet! 

(Although a little hungry yet.) 

But scolded so, ’mid Christmas joys, 

The little dear quite lost her poise. 

Her soul was racked with consternation, 

She soon succumbed to agitation. 

She sighed and dropped a pensive tear, 

Both large and limpid, crystal clear. 

(This part is very painful, but—) 



Dear me, what is that curious sound ! 

The family all glanced around, 

The Kewps had come, with leap and bound! 
They rushed to Dot with merry shout, 
Prancing, dancing all about, 

With pirouettes of various kinds. 


48 


THE 


K E W P I E S 







“Don’t cry, we’ll soon divert their minds,’’ 
Thus said the Chief to lovely Dot. 

He then addressed the Kewpie lot : 

“Begin diverting, on the spot. 

Their minds requiring some diversion, 

We’ll take their minds on an excursion. 

Their minds, now bent on scolding steadily, 
We’ll turn to other matters readily. 

Their minds we’ll give a merry spin to, 

Their minds we’ll put some ginger into.” 

No sooner said than done! The band 
Now took that family in hand. 

The Darling family, surprised, 

Just stared, at first, with all their eyes. 

They simply couldn’t view those elves 
With calm, nor quite adapt themselves. 
Amazed, they scanned the Kewp’s simplicity, 
Equipoise and elasticity. 



AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


49 


Some took the father first aside, 

A man of dignity and pride, 

A trifle set, too, in his ways, 

More apt to “pick on things’’ than praise. 
In him you’d ne’er expect to find 
A tendency to hang behind 
On wagons, nor to skin-the-cat, 

Do backward flips or slips like that. 

He did not lean to Highland-flinging, 

Had no gift for buck-and-winging, 

Was cold to barber-shoppy singing, 

A man of mild but strict propriety, 
Remarked for soundness and sobriety, 
Devoid of foolish flippancy 
Or taint of trip-and-skippancy. 









50 


THE 








K E W P I E S 


You know, it really seems a sin, it 
Took the Kewpies just a minute, 

To have him singing like a linnet. 

(Kewpies are so entertaining!) 

Now, as for Mrs. Darling, she 
Was then engaged by Kewpies three, 

Who entertained her most politely, 

O’er divers subjects passing lightly. 

Mild jokes and anecdotes gave pleasure, 

While compliments in modest measure 
Enriched an hour of cheering leisure. 

The lady was a bit inclined 
To pride herself on strength of mind ; 

But as for scolding little Dot, it 
Slipped her mind. She quite forgot it. 

(Her mind was diverted completely.) 


And next, Nan, Dan, and stern Irene 
Convulsed by Kewpish arts are seen; 




AND DOTTY DARLING 


51 


Who first with quips produce a smile, 
Then stand upon one leg a while, 

Then ’round and ’round they lightly whirl, 
Or in deft acrobatics twirl; 









52 


THE 


K E W P I E S 


Then gaily skip about the floor, 

And tumble backward through the door; 

Then careful not to prove alarming, 

Make funny faces most disarming; 

Or sit in laps with manners charming. 

The children laugh with hearty glee, 

When all these cheerful sights they see. 

They hail each trick with joyful greeting. 
Forgotten Dot and all her eating, 

Forgotten every painful question 
Like little Dot and her digestion. 

And, meanwhile, what is Dotty doing? 

Happy, in the corner, chewing 
Macaroons, marshmallows, buns — 

Large, middle-sized and little ones; 

While cuddled in her arms, so tight, 

Is Wag, the Chief, in calm delight. 

And as for eating, bless you, it 
Doesn’t hurt the dear a bit: 

For growing children need a-plenty, 

At least, till they are ten or twenty. 

Of course, some children not so hearty, 

Would best not eat like this young party; 
Each child should know its own proclivity, 
Natural scope and receptivity. 

Each child should take its own small measure, 
And then go at the feast with pleasure, 
Stopping this side of dissolution, 

Total panic and confusion. 













t» St^MDVENTURES 

fine a^nd Dottys fiew- 

P zA VALENTINE 



56 


THE 


K E W P I E S 





NE thing in Kewpies I find pleasing, 
They’re never snuffly, never sneezing, 
Never chilly ’round the toes 
Nor sadly blue about the nose. 

They play in snow-storms, bright and rosy, 
In the rain are warm and cozy 
As if their little skins were made so — 
Began by being warm and stayed so. 
Cough syrups have no sale with them, 

It’s out and ride the gale, with them. 






They need no fire-side to droop by, 
Poke the coals and have the croup by; 
And if some sportive Kewpies choose 
To wear a scarf and overshoes, 

’Tis not for fear of cold, but choice 
To play they’re careful of their voice. 
They think it fashionable, too, 
Because so many children do. 


If I could be a Kewpie now, 

To play with snow-birds on the bough, 
I’d not be here with flannels on, 
Wishing winter done and gone — 

My muffler and my woolen vest, 

My mustard-plaster on my chest! 

(Ah, no!) 



AND 


DARLING 


57 


DOTTY 


But since we aren’t Kewps, my plan 
Is — talk about them all I can, 

And while some Kewpish tale is told, 
I quite forget I have a cold. 



One thing they did amused me so! 

The Darling family, you know, 

Were rather prejudiced, in ways, 

Against some pastimes, sports and plays. 







58 


THE 









E W 


E 


At least, the parents were — why, sleds 
Meant naught to them but broken heads. 

They looked askance on all hillsides, 

And stood against all kinds of slides. 

The children, yearly, begged for sleds, 

The parents only shook their heads. 

The children plead in moving tones, 

The parents spoke of broken bones. 

But near their house, a hill so fine 
Spread a lovely, sleek incline, 

And children from the village there 
Came to hurtle through the air; 

While sledless Dotty, standing by there, 

Sometimes thought that she should die there. 

(Oh! it was so painful!) 

Once, standing thus at close of day, 

She watched those children go away, 

With happy downward romps and riding, 
Topsy-turvy slips and sliding. 

“If only I could have a sled!” 

Was what the tearful maiden said. 

“You can,” a little voice replied — 

And all the Kewps were at her side. 

Three fine, large sleds, or maybe more, 

They pushed and pulled, behind, before. 

“But Kewpies dear, my parents true 
Would never let me go with you.” 

“Well then,” said Wag, “we’ll take them, too.” 

(And they did.) 







AND DOTTY DARLING 59 



Now, how they got those parents out 
Will ne’er be known, I have no doubt; 
Nor how they got those parents stern 
To limber up and take a turn, 

But that is what those Kewpies did on 
That hill, so strangely, nobly slid on. 
At first, the mother quite demurred ; 
Of such a thing she’d never heard. 
While father, too, agreed ’twas strange 
For parents down the hill to range 
With dumpy Kewpies for a change. 

But Kewps have quite a way, you see, 
Respectful, grave, yet light and free. 
They deftly circumvent correction 
While overcoming all objection. 

The father stern is first defeated, 
Mama behind him firmly seated, 

The Kewpies then pile on behind 









\ 


60 THE K E W P I E S 







And down they spin before the wind. 

The moon is up, the snow is light, 

The three big children next sit tight, 

With Kewpies cuddled in beside them, 

While down the hill they gaily ride them. 

And then sweet Dot with Kewpie’s care 
Is next escorted through the air. 

The sleds glide on with glad uproar, 

Then up again, and down once more. 

The family, too pleased for stopping it, 

Really cannot hear of dropping it. 

The mother cries, “Let’s go some more, dears, 

I wish I’d known of this before, dears!’’ 

(It was a great success.) 

Next morning was Saint Valentine’s day, 

The father stern was heard to say, 




AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


61 


“Get up, you little sleepy-heads, 

I’m going to town to buy some sleds, 

The sliding’s good — the sun it shines, 

Those sleds will be our valentines!’’ 

(Wasn’t that lovely?) 

But Dotty had another, too. 

A box brought by the mail-man blue. 

“A valentine for you,’’ he said, 

While patting Dotty on the head. 

Oh dear, oh dear, when she untied it, 

She found a laughing Kewp inside it. 

The elf had sent himself by mail! 

Thus ends this bright, particular tale. 








to 


ho Pleawszuit TaJe of 

How &.nd Why* the 

Rewpies Taoight Our Dot 

FLY 


64 


THE 


K E W P I E S 





WAS March, and yet ’twas more like May, 
The sun kept shining all the day, 

The flowers began to think of springing, 
The birds considered nests and singing. 
Young Dotty Darling thought of various 
Ways of being quite hilarious. 

Her little feet kept up a tripping, 

Systematic sort of skipping, 

All about the hillside snooping, 

To see if there were flowers, stooping, 

And occasionally whooping. 

(Her whooping has no harshness to it 
As Indians and engines do it. 

I pause to mention this, at present, 

Lest you should think the dear unpleasant.) 




“Oh, my!’’ for joy the maiden sings, 

*1 wish I had some Kewpie wings!” 

No sooner had she said the word, 

Than forty little wings were heard. 

She looked around — she looked on high, 

The Kewps were dropping from the sky. 

(Just like a little flock of birds!) 

Said Wag, the Chief, “What Kewp will lend 
His wings here to oblige a friend?” 

“Take mine,” a dozen Kewpies cried. 

“One pair’s enough,” the Chief replied. 



AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


65 


“It’s time,” he added, “you and I 
Should teach our little Dot to fly. 

We should have thought of this before 
And calculated on it more. 

I don’t know how it slipped my mind; 

Why, something must have tripped my mind!” 
With all the Kewpies’ easy grace, 

The little wings are put in place, 

And oh, the smile on Dotty’s face! 

(I simply can’t describe it!) 



The little Cook then gaily tries 
To start young Dotty toward the skies; 
But, somehow, Dotty doesn’t rise. 

Each Kewpie, far from stolidly, 

Views Dotty standing solidly. 

“Now, why is this?” the Cook conjectures. 
The Carpenter now loudly lectures, 

The Army wonders why and how, 

The Farmer muses, hand on brow, 

“I think of this and that, you know, 









66 


THE 


K E W P I E S 








The dear is rather fat, you know.” 

As if that had not sounded well, 

He adds, “I mean she’s rounded well. 
I mean she’s not a scraggly one, 
Long-legged, loose and waggly one. 
Her constitution is designed 
To satisfy the most refined. 


* ‘Her form is plump as cakes and pies, 

Her form you could not criticise, 

But, p’raps, it’s not the kind that flies.” 

The Chief cried, ‘‘Nonsense, you stir now, 

All together! Boost her now!” 

They boosted hard, they boosted high, 

To get the darling in the sky. 

They pushed so hard, they pushed so fast, 

You’d thought they’d get her up at last. 

(But nothing happened.) 

“Look here,” said Wag, ‘‘she’s only flopping. 

We thought it easy, without dropping — 

As natural as hop-toads hopping, 

But now, in spite of self-reliance, 

It’s plain that flying is a science. 

Now, without further boosts or words, 

Let’s do like all the mother-birds: 

When teaching baby birds to go, 

They just keep flying to and fro, 

Depending mainly on example, 

So now let’s give this child a sample.” 

(And that’s exactly what they did.) 




AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


67 


Well, Dotty watched those Kewpies skitting 
’Round about with easy flitting, 



And at the end of twenty minutes 
Her wings were waving like a linnet’s. 


68 


THE 


K E W P I E S 







Up she went among the lot there, 

And hardly knew just how she got there. 
She said, “I never thought I’d be 
An aeronaut like this, you see.” 




Oh dear, oh dear, what tun she found then. 
Flying gaily ’round and ’round then, 

The only child in all the world, 

That ever flew and wheeled and whirled. 
The only one that we’ve had word of — 

At least, the only one I’ve heard of. 






























» 



72 


THE 


K E W P I E S 





NE April day when flowers were peeping up, 
A little slow to give their sleeping up, 

But waked by playful lambkins leaping up, 
The birds were out and gaily swooping it — 
Such a hullab’loo and whooping it, 
Flapping wings and raising rackets, 

You’d think they’d burst their little jackets — 

The Kewps above them in the sky, 

Were riding on a cloud on high. 

(Very calm and comfortable.) 






Said Wag, the Chieftain, with a smile, 

“We’ve not seen Dot for quite a while.’’ 

“That’s so,’’ replied the Kewpie Cook, 

“Let’s all go down and have a look. 

Our cloud has floated just above 
The house where dwells the little love. 

Our cloud is such a prompt and neat car, 

Our cloud’s convenient as a street-car.’’ 

One, two, they’re off the edge and scattering, 

Drop to earth like raindrops pattering. 

Just outside Dot’s window, landing 
On a tree which there is standing. 

The leafless limbs bloom out with Kewps, 

Each twig in modest pleasure droops, 

While here and there those wights are prancing 
And acrobatically dancing. 

(Oh, I wish I had such a tree!) 



AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


73 



Now to the window quick they crowd 
With cautions not to speak too loud. 

“What’s this?” cried one, as loud as scolding. 

“What’s that? See, what is Dotty holding?” 

“What can it be! Without a doubt, it 
Has a Kewpish look about it!” 

“Quick, call the roll! Why, all are here! 

That cannot be a Kewp, ’tis clear!” 

Said Wag, the Chief, “It’s very queer!” 

(Oh, they were quite nonplussed!) 






But now the window’s opened wide, 

Young Dot has seen the Kewps outside; 
“Oh quick,” she cries, “come in with you, 
And see what I’ve got, spandy new. 

A baby brother, if you please! 

Now shut the window, or he’ll sneeze.” 

Oh dear, to see those wondering Kewps 





74 


THE 


K E W P I E S 







Around that baby come in troops ! 

Some pat its cheek, some hunt its toes, 
Some wonder at its little clothes, 

Some try to twist its downy hair 
To make a Kewpie top-knot there; 

While Dot exhibiting her treasure 
Nearly perishes with pleasure. 

Her heart this simply loads with pride, 
Her heart it ’most explodes with pride. 
The baby waking from its sleeping, 

Sees those Kewpies wildly leaping; 

Sees one of them lightly vaulting 
O’er his brother, somersaulting, 

Sees the little eyes and top-knots, 
Kewpies tied in flip-and-flop knots, 

Sees the tendency to sportive 
Measures, methods so cavortive, 

Sees, in fact, those Kewpies go so 
That it makes him up and crow so, 
Makes him laugh until you’re doubting 







AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


75 


If ever infant did such shouting, 

In the world — such splendid spouting! 

(Oh dear, that baby did laugh!) 

“Well now,’’ said Dot, “how nice ’twill be, 

This baby likes your looks, you see; 

So all you Kewpies now will find him 
Pleased to see you help me mind him.’’ 

And from that day, the Kewpies willingly 
Entertained that baby killingly. 

They ne’er forgot their duty to him, 

Behaved with perfect beauty to him, 

And gave up numerous excursions, 

Some high and wide and wild diversions, 

While Dotty’s mother went to town 



And even took the children down 
In perfect calm and peace of mind ; 
Because she knew the Kewpies kind 
To watch the baby stayed behind. 

Like little nurses (though much smaller) 
Caring for that little crawler. 

In fact, they acted as his aunties, 

Till he went into coat and panties 










T he> ffeicpies \Saye 2)ot[y 
BABE I Indeed 

They’re Hautidy Things 
in Time of Need! 




78 


THE 


K E W P I E S 



OW here’s a tale that I find cheerful 
Whene’er I meet with something fearful. 
For instance, dogs who stand at gates so, 
Gur-rowling in a way I hate so; 

Or bulls— of course, to meet them’s rare, 
dears, 

Out on the rampage, on the tear, dears. 
And as for snakes and spiders; well, now, 

My views on them I’d hate to tell now! 

(I always think of something else, if possible.) 


I always think, when far from mother, 

Faced by one danger or another, 

How Kewps saved Dotty’s baby brother. 

I like to think with what temerity 
They saved that baby with celerity. 

I like to think of their agility, 

Mental strength and brisk ability. 

I like to feel, when in some plight, you know, 

If Kewpies came, ’twould be all right, you know; 
And say, “Now, if those Kewps were here, 

I’d soon be out of this, my dear.’’ 

Well, when it happened, Dotty’s baby 
Was toddling, one or two years, maybe. 

To school the older children go, 

The mother to the town below. 

(Her best dress on, no spot or rumpling.) 

Young Dot stays home to mind the Dumpling. 

Of course, I mean the babe by that word. 


AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


79 


A round and funny, foolish, fat word; 

For babes and dumplings are so sweet, you see, 
Both plump and good enough to eat, you see. 

The Kewpies came and, pleased to find him 
Looking heartily, helped to mind him. 

(For Dot was very busy.) 
Young Dotty’s doll was needing badly then 
A new dress : Dot was sewing madly then. 

The baby at her side was jabbing things 
With pins and needles, deftly nabbing things, 
Both hands industriously grabbing things. 

Not that he meant to be unkind, you know, 

But just because he felt inclined, you know, 

To see how many objects he could tumble there, 
Tangle, towzle, jam and jumble there. 

(You know how babies are.) 
Till Wag, the Chieftain, said : “Look here, 

Why, this will never do. ’Tis clear, 

This babe must be removed, my dear.” 

It took four minutes, thereabout, 

To walk that lively baby out — 

One minute more for him to see 
How gay a little stroll could be 
In pleasant Kewpish company. 

While Dot stayed home, in peace and quiet, 

He toddled on with cheerful riot. 

He toddled on, the Kewps surrounding, 

Toddled hopping, paddling, pounding, 

Toddled ’round and ’round, rebounding 
In a manner most astounding. 

The Kewps were proud to see him go so, 

And overjoyed to hear him crow so. 

All would have ended happily, 









80 


THE 


K E W P I E S 







If baby had not chanced to see 
Two bee-hives set beneath a tree, 

If baby had not been so quick, you know, 

If baby had not got a stick, you know, 

And hit the bee-hives such a flick, you know, 

And then gone on, so gaily cracking them, 

Bumping, thumping, whaling, whacking them! 

(How those bees did come flying out!) 



A moment after, what disaster then ! 

Kewpies urge that baby faster then. 

The danger (bee-stings!) Kewpies know it so! 

And without clothes the dears would show it so! 

Oh, dear! they made that baby go it so! 

But soon the little pet was stopping there, 

So tired, crying, nearly dropping there, 

While all the bees were wildly trooping up, 

Chasing after, swirling swooping up, 

To bite that baby, fairly whooping up. 

(When — what do you think happened?) 





AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


81 



“Come Kewps,’’ cried Wag, the Chief, “let’s try enough, 
P’r’aps we can lift this baby high enough.’’ 

The babe was heavy for the elves, of course, 

They had to strain their little selves, of course, 

But up, at last, they had the darling there, 

Quite safe, above, like any starling there. 

They kept tight hold — no fear of dropping. 

With rage the bees were fairly popping. 

The baby laughed to see them flopping: 

For it’s well known bees cannot fly, you see, 

Like Kewpies — hardly half as high, you see. 

To bite that babe they needn’t try, you see. 

The babe, instead, flew gaily ’round, my dears, 

And back to Dot, went safe and sound, my dears. 

Dot praised those Kewpies, I’ll be bound, my dears. 















H ow F\ext)joj- Gave Dot 

<x TRIP Delightful 

Mid vSaved the Bai>e> 
from Dangers Frightful 



84 


THE 


K E W P I E S 








NE morn, Nan, Dan and calm Irene, 

Each with a little pail is seen : 

“We’re going on the hill, today, 

To pick some berries’’ so they say. 

“Oh, take us, too,’’ cries Dotty, hurrying. 


And down the path she’s briskly flurrying 
Behind her comes the baby, scurrying, 

His usual speed much more than doubling, 
Puffing, gurgling, babbling, bubbling. 

“Oh, not at all,” the elder three 
Remark with unanimity, 

“Oh, not at all. We won’t have stumbling 
Babies after us come tumbling. 






AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


85 


We don’t intend to stop for toddlers, 

Little wait-for-mes and waddlers. 

We’re going fast, we’re going freely, 

Without you totties, small and squealy.” 

(Dear me!) 

Then, with these few remarks, they went on, 

With jingling pails, and berries bent on; 

But, oh, the two they left so gladly, 

How they stood there weeping sadly, 

Feeling very, very badly. 

Dot holding Baby — although he was 
Pretty near as big as she was. 

When, look! The tears are stopping there; 

What is that softly dropping there? 

Out of the sky, they’re popping there? 

Why, there’s another whirling down, 

With little wings, he’s twirling down 
As if just now should flutter by 
A plumper kind of butterfly. 

(Oh, it’s the Kewpies!) 

They see at once that something’s wrong, 

So pleased they chanced to come along 
And now the little kind eyes stare 
Upon the weeping children there ; 

Then quick, to keep from weeping, too, 

(Tears in their eyes are peeping, too.) 

They start to laughing, leaping, too. 

They start their antics, start their wiles, 

They start tomfooleries and smiles : 

“Oh, Kewpies, Kewpies!’’ Dot was shouting, 

The baby sputtering and spouting. 








86 


THE 


K E W P I E S 







“We’ll get some pails as quick as not,” 

Said Wag unto the Kewpie lot, 

“We’re berrying with Babe and Dot.” 

(And they did.) 

Without delay they took the dears, 

And on their hankies dried their tears, 

Then toddled to a better hill 
Than Irene found, or ever will, 

Where berries grew of such dimensions, 

Berries of such large pretensions, 

They looked like berries with extensions, 

Or like balloons that rise sedately, 

Or grandpa berries large and stately. 

Those Kewpies picked so fast, my dears, 

You’d think it couldn’t last, my dears; 

And yet no little Kewp forgot, 

In helping Baby, helping Dot, 

To see that they, too, picked a lot 

And had the pride and joy illustrious 

Of those who know they’ve been industrious. 

No danger dark oppressed the scene, 

Excepting when some geese careen 
Across the hillside’s pleasant green — 



AND 


DOTTY 


DARLING 


87 


The Babe, poor infant, startled frightfully, 

Heard the creatures hissing spitefully. 

Looking terrible and bitefully. 

He tried to run where Dot was picking fast 
But, dears, it seemed his feet were sticking fast. 

(It was dreadful!) 

Then, oh, those Kewpies, how they hopped about! 

And scared the geese which wildly flopped about, 

And down the hill, without a sight behind, 

With Kewpies on their backs or right behind, 

Nor dared look or try to bite behind 
Baby laughed, and Dotty came, too, 

Running up to see the game, too. 




(Really, it was funny!) 





If I’d been there, I’d run for shelter 
From that flapping helter-skelter; 

But what I thought was most amusing, 
Was Irene, Nan and Dan refusing 
To trust their very eyes, you know, 



88 


THE 


K E W P I E rip 








With all those pails there in a row, 

And heaping high with berries so, 

When they had such a few between them. 

I really wish you could have seen them. 

They looked at Baby, looked at Dot, 

And wondered was it true or not. 

They said, “It seems you’ve picked a lot.’’ 
They said no more — that’s to their credit — 
But, oh, the tone in which they said it! 

Now Dotty well knew wrong from right, dears. 
She told no story black or white, dears, 

She only laughed with all her might, dears. 
The Baby laughing more and more, too, 

The Kewpies laughed behind the door, too ! 



The; ILnd 















